Herbal Remedies for Menopause

Mention the word menopause and both males and females alike will cry, “Ug! Hot flashes and mood swings!” There’s a bit more to it, but nonetheless, it can be a capricious time in the life of some women and those close to them. Depending on who you talk to, some medical professionals will prescribe vitamins, and medications and HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and a number of other options to try.

One other such option is the use of herbs and homeopathic remedies to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Symptom improvement is different for each woman, however some women have a noticeable improvement in symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia, while others note no change or only experience relief for a short period of time.

Some of the herbs which may alleviate menopausal symptoms are listed below.

• Asian ginseng may be used by menopausal women to reduce stress, improve general well-being, decrease feelings of depression, and enhance memory. This herb is thought to have estrogen-like activities, although not all studies support this assertion.
• Black cohosh is used to relieve symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, and feelings of depression. This herb is considered a safe and effective alternative to estrogen when hormones cannot be used.
• Dong quai, in combination with other herbs, has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve symptoms of menopause. While there continue to be reports of improvement in symptoms using this herb, the effect of using dong quai by itself varies from woman to woman. Clinical studies comparing dong quai only to a placebo do not confirm a specific benefit of this herb. In general, however, dong quai is thought to be safe for relief of menopausal symptoms, particularly if hormones cannot be used.
• Red clover contains high quantities of plant-based estrogens called isoflavones that may improve menopausal symptoms, reduce the risk of bone loss, and lower the risk of heart disease by improving blood pressure and possibly by increasing HDL cholesterol (the "good" kind of cholesterol).
• Many women claim that wild yam cream improves menopausal symptoms, particularly vaginal dryness. While this extract has been converted to progesterone in laboratory test tubes, the value of wild yam for menopausal symptoms has not yet been fully evaluated in people or even in animals.
• Some women report that evening primrose oil diminishes the frequency and intensity of their hot flashes, but these claims have not been proven by scientific studies.
• Additionally, the following herbs have not been investigated in clinical studies; however, a professional herbalist can vigilantly assess an individual woman and may consider prescribing one or more of the following to alleviate symptoms of menopause: Licorice, Stinging nettle, Saw palmetto, Uva ursi, Valerian root, and Angelica root.

Further, although homeopathic remedies have not been studied specifically for menopause, a licensed and certified homeopath might consider one or more of the following remedies to help ease symptoms:

• Venom of the bushmaster for hot flashes and irritability
• Cuttlefish for low energy, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and irritability
• Windflower for mood swings and insomnia
• Sulfur for hot flashes and irritability
• Club moss to help bloating, flatulence, and pain with intercourse
• Silver nitrate for anxiety, nervousness, irritability, and insomnia;
• Calcium phosphate to improve bone density
• Belladonna for hot flashes, especially if they begin abruptly

A homeopathic doctor considers many different aspects of an individual before a particular prescription is chosen. Women considering using a homeopathic remedy should be evaluated and treated by a well-trained homeopath. As with any herbs or homeopathic remedies, please don’t self medicate. More is not always better. Too much of a particular remedy can be detrimental.

For further facts about menopause and possible treatments, click here and/or here.

(article supplied by InfoGoRound)

DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

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